How to Program GM Keyless Remotes

Co-authored by Shawn Fago

Last Updated: August 29, 2024

If you have lost your keys, or have just bought a new car, you will need to program a new keyless remote. There are three broad categories when it comes to GM keyless remotes: pre-2007, 2007–10 with VIC, and 2007 – 10 without VIC. If your car is a GM post-2010 model, you should contact your nearest car care professional. After 2011, most GM models have already synced transmitters that come with the car when you buy it. Once you determine which category your car fits in, programming a keyless remote becomes a very easy process, only involving a few quick steps. Set aside a few minutes of your time, and you will never have to use an old-fashioned key again!

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Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Programming for Pre-2007 GM Models

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It is necessary for you to be near both the inside locks and the ignition. Make sure you are sitting comfortably in your seat, and that the keyless remote is close enough to the steering wheel and locks.
Make sure that each door is shut tightly, otherwise the vehicle will not sync correctly. If you can, give each door handle a yank from the inside to make sure that they are closed as tight as they can be.

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However, do not turn ignition switch yet. This will screw up the cycle you will have to start over.
This is the switch on the door, not the remote. Do not let up on the lock, otherwise it will mess up the process and force you to restart.
Only turn the key as far as it will go before the ignition actually starts the engine. You do not want to start your car. Every time you turn the key to the ON position, a light on the dashboard should appear, and then go away when you turn the key to the OFF position. Do this step quickly.
The doors will lock and unlock one time to confirm the program mode is activated. If the door only locks, or only unlocks, you will have to start the process over again. Something likely went out of sync, or you did not turn the ignition ON/OFF fast enough.
The doors will lock and unlock as you are holding down both buttons to confirm the programming of that transmitter. Do not wait to do this step. You want to do this within ten to twenty seconds after you have shifted the ignition ON/OFF.^{[1]
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Once more, do not wait very long in between transmitters. Otherwise you will lose the sync with your car and have to start the process all over again.
If you forget to do this step, it is likely that your car will not unlock/lock properly.^{[2]
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Step out of your car, and go as far as 20 feet. Test the locking mechanism on the transmitter. If it works from that distance, step back another 20 feet (40 feet in total) and try it from there. If you are noticing it not working, you may have to restart the sync cycle over again. It may also indicate the battery is low.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Programming for 2007 – 10 GM Models With VIC

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Common places to look are in your driver's manual which comes with the car. You can ask your car care professional. There should also be a Vehicle Information button on your dashboard with a picture of a car, marked with the letter "I". If your car has a VIC, use the following steps.
Sit down comfortably in the driver's seat, and make sure that all of the doors are closed. Tug on each of the handles from inside to make sure they are all closed tight. Make sure that your transmitter is close to the steering wheel and lock buttons.
Put your key in the ignition and turn it all the way clockwise until you hear the engine come on. Make sure that the gear shift is set to park.
If for some reason the display does not appear, restart your car, and repeat the previous steps. If the display still does not appear, contact your nearest GM car care professional.^{[3]
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The Set/Reset button should be near the Vehicle Information button. If you cycle past the option, continue pressing the Set/Reset button until the "Remote Key Learning Active" option reappears.^{[4]
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Do this for at least fifteen seconds. You should hear a noise that sounds like a chime. This means that your transmitter has been successfully synced. If that does not happen, it is likely the sync is off, in which case you will have to restart the process.
Do this in rapid succession. If you wait too long, it is likely that your car will go out of sync, and you will have to restart the process for whichever transmitters you have left over.
It is important that you do this, otherwise the lock/unlock features in your car will not properly work. This can result in dangerous circumstances where your locks do not work. If you forget, or take too long to take your key out, start the whole process over again for your own safety and convenience.^{[5]
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Test your transmitters. Get out of your car and close the driver's door. Step away from the car about 20 feet. Press the unlock/lock buttons separately. If they work from this distance, step back to a further distance and try your transmitter from there. If you are noticing that your transmitter is not locking and/or unlocking, start the process over again to ensure that it works. If you have repeated the process numerous times with no success, contact your car care professional for further instruction/help.
- If the transmitter works at 20 feet but does not work at, say, 40 feet, the transmitter may not have a strong enough signal to travel that far, or that the transmitter's batteries are low.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Programming for 2007 – 10 GM Models Without VIC

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A common place to find this information is in your driver's manual which comes with the car. You can ask your car care professional. There should also be a button on your dashboard with a picture of a car, marked with the letter "I". If your car does not have a VIC, use the following steps.
Sit comfortably in the driver's seat, and make sure that your transmitter is close enough to the steering wheel and internal locks. Pull on the internal handles of each door to make sure that they are closed tightly.
When you put the key into the ignition, do not turn it all the way clockwise. Instead, turn it to the position right before when the ignition would start.^{[6]
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This is located in front of the driver's seat, behind the steering wheel. Do this until the display board reads "Relearn Remote Key." If your car does not do this, you may have your key in the wrong position. You can always pull your key out and start again.^{[7]
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You will hear a noise that sounds like a chime. This means that your transmitter has been successfully synced. If you do not hear this chime, that means that the sync is off. You will have to repeat the previous steps in order to successfully sync your transmitter.^{[8]
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Do this in rapid succession, otherwise your car will go out of sync. If this happens, make sure that you begin the process over again, otherwise you will not successfully sync your transmitters.
If you do not do this step right afterwards, it could throw the sync of the car off. If you forget to take the key out, or take it out a while afterwards, it is best to repeat the previous steps over again. Otherwise you could potentially have thrown off your transmitters, and not be able to work your Unlock/Lock buttons.^{[9]
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Step out of your car and shut the driver's door. Step about 20 feet away and press the Unlock/Lock buttons separately. If the locks seem to work, go back even further and test it again. If the locks do not appear to work, it is best to restart the process for your own safety. If you have tried and tried again, and nothing seems to work, contact your nearest car care professional.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

1995 Buick LeSabre

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The data port is located under the steering column below the dash.

How Do You Program a Car Key?

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Will method 4 work on an 08 HHR?

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No, probably not. Try this: Honk twice (when the car is off). Start the car. Honk three times (holding it for 3 seconds each time). Press the hazards light button twice while pressing on the "unlock" button of the remote. And you're all set!

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Will method 1 work on my 1999 Cadillac Catera?

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Yes. It may take a few attempts, but it should work.

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How do I program my Honda Civic 2010 Hybrid keyless remote?

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You don't, because you do not have the tools to do so. if you DID, it would be a major security issue, as anybody could easily steal your car.

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Tips

On some models, the first keyless entry programmed will set to Driver One, and the second to Driver Two.

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Make sure when you are holding the keyless transmitter, it is in front of you, pointing towards your car.

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If the button does not work the first time, press it a few more times. Occasionally the signal can be interfered with temporarily.

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Warnings

Some models may require security system or other fuses to be removed.

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Continuously check the battery of your transmitter. Sometimes the battery can lose its charge, and in which case you will likely have to buy a new one.

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Check the locks before you go out on a long ride. You do not want to be stuck in the middle of no where without a properly programmed transmitter.

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